College of Law News

House of Lords Cites Symeonides' Book

The United Kingdom's Supreme Court, the House of Lords, recently referred to Dean Symeon C. Symeonides as a "leading authority in the United States" and cited his book The American Choice-of-Law Revolution: Past, Present and Future (Hague Academy (2006). The citation was in a complex insurance case decided on July 30, 2009, Lexington Insurance Co. v. AGF Insurance Ltd., (2009) UKHL 40, which depended in part on U.S. law.

This is the second time Symeonides' work has been noted by a highest national court. The previous citation was by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 2004 case Soza v. Alvarez, 504 U.S. 692, when he was cited by both the majority and the concurring opinions.

Symeonides' publications have been cited in 107 other judicial decisions: 25 times by state supreme courts in 12 states; 18 times by federal courts of appeal in nine circuits; 37 times by state appellate courts; and 27 times by federal district courts.

In the academic literature, Symeonides' publications have been cited in 961 books and law review articles.

A Supreme Sesquicentennial: The Oregon Supreme Court at 150 Years and Beyond

In early October, the Willamette University Center for Law and Government will co-sponsor a conference to celebrate the Oregon Supreme Court's 150 years of service to the state of Oregon. Among the topics to be discussed are the history of the Court, the manner in which its members are selected and retain their seats, and the Court's contributions to American law. In addition, the current chief justice and several current and former members of the Oregon Supreme Court will discuss the Court's place within the state judicial system and the Oregon legal community more broadly.

The conference keynote address will be presented by Paul J. De Muniz, chief justice of the Oregon Supreme Court. A 1975 graduate of Willamette University College of Law, De Muniz worked in public defense and private practice for 15 years before being asked by the governor to fill a vacant position on the Oregon Court of Appeals. He was elected to the Oregon Supreme Court in January 2001. Five years later, he was unanimously elected by the other justices to head the Court.

"A Supreme Sesquicentennial: The Oregon Supreme Court at 150 Years and Beyond" will be held in the Paulus Lecture Hall (room 201) at the College of Law on Friday, Oct. 9, 2009, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. A reception will follow closing remarks.

The College of Law and Center for Law and Government welcome your attendance at this free public event. For more information, call 503-370-6046 or send an e-mail to rmeyers@willamette.edu.